How to Clean and Maintain Your Number Plate: Tips for Leyland and Preston Drivers

While we often focus on washing our car’s paintwork or vacuuming the interior, one small but vital detail is frequently neglected—the number plate. Whether you’re commuting through Preston’s busy Ringway or cruising down the roads of Leyland, your vehicle’s number plate needs to remain clean, clear, and legible at all times. Not only is this crucial for keeping your vehicle looking neat, but it’s also a legal requirement in the UK.

In this post, we’ll explore why number plate maintenance matters, how to clean your plates safely, what the law says, and tips specifically useful for drivers in Leyland and Preston, where road grime, weather, and motorway driving can all play a role in how your plates wear over time.

Why Clean Number Plates Matter

Your number plate isn’t just there for show—it plays an essential role in identifying your vehicle for police, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, toll booths, parking systems, and more.

Here’s why keeping them clean and well-maintained is crucial:

🔍 Legal Compliance

According to the UK’s DVLA regulations, all number plates must:

• Be clean, clear, and legible.

• Use British Standard font.

• Display characters in the correct size, colour, and spacing.

• Not be obscured by dirt, damage, or covers.

If your number plate is dirty or illegible, especially during the rainy Lancashire seasons, you could be fined up to £1,000, and your vehicle could fail its MOT.

📸 Avoiding Penalty Charges

With ANPR systems common on roads and in car parks around Preston and Leyland, a dirty or unreadable plate can lead to incorrect toll charges or fines. In some cases, it may appear that a vehicle didn’t pay when it actually did—just because the plate couldn’t be read.

🚗 Vehicle Appearance

Even if you’re not concerned about fines, a clean number plate improves your car’s overall appearance. It’s a small detail that adds to your vehicle’s cleanliness and professionalism—especially important if you’re in sales, deliveries, or run a fleet vehicle in the area.

Common Causes of Dirty or Damaged Plates in Lancashire

Living and driving in Lancashire presents specific challenges to number plate cleanliness:

• Road salt and grit during winter months in Preston and surrounding villages.

• Rain and mud from country lanes around Leyland and Chorley.

• Motorway debris from M6 and M61 sprayback.

• Bug splatter and tar from rural summer drives.

• Fungal growth if the car is parked near foliage or under trees.

These elements can dull your plate, obscure characters, or even damage the reflective surface over time.

How to Clean Your Number Plate Properly

Fortunately, cleaning your number plate is simple and doesn’t take much time. Here’s a step-by-step guide that works whether you’re washing your entire car or just giving your plate a freshen-up:

🧽 What You’ll Need:

• Bucket of warm water

• Mild car shampoo or dish soap

• Microfibre cloth or sponge

• Soft-bristled brush (optional)

• Non-abrasive polish (optional for restoring clarity)

• Dry cloth or towel

🧼 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Rinse First Start by rinsing your plate with water to remove loose dirt and prevent scratching.

2. Apply Soapy Water Mix mild car shampoo in a bucket and gently wash the plate with a sponge or cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or scouring pads—they can strip off the reflective coating.

3. Scrub Carefully For stuck-on grime or bugs, use a soft-bristled brush to gently lift dirt without scratching the plate.

4. Rinse Again Use clean water to rinse off all soap and residue.

5. Dry Thoroughly Wipe the plate dry using a clean towel or microfibre cloth to avoid water spots.

6. Polish if Needed If your plate looks dull or has surface marks, a light polish can restore clarity—but make sure the polish is non-abrasive and safe for plastic or acrylic.

Pro Tip for Preston Drivers: After heavy rain or driving on gritted roads, give your plate a quick rinse even if you’re not doing a full car wash. It takes just a minute but keeps the plate clear and compliant.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

To avoid having to deep-clean your plate constantly, try these handy maintenance ideas:

✅ Apply a Protective Sealant

After cleaning, apply a layer of wax or sealant (the same kind you’d use on your paintwork) to help repel water, grime, and bugs.

✅ Avoid Plate Covers

Some people install tinted or plastic covers over plates to “protect” them, but these are illegal in the UK if they obscure visibility in any way. It’s best to stick with regular cleaning instead.

✅ Use a Soft Brush for Quick Touch-Ups

Keep a soft detailing brush in your boot. After a muddy school run through Leyland’s backroads, you can quickly wipe your plate clean without doing a full wash.

✅ Inspect Regularly

Check for cracks, fading, or discolouration. If your plate is cracked or peeling, it’s time to replace it. Preston and Leyland have plenty of local shops that can legally print new plates.

What to Do if Your Number Plate Is Damaged

If you’ve noticed cracks, fading, or broken fixings, it’s best to replace the plate rather than risk a fine or MOT failure.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Choose a Registered Supplier
   Make sure the plate is made by a DVLA-approved supplier, like Halfords or local garages in Leyland and Preston.

2. Bring ID & Proof of Ownership
   You’ll need:
   • A valid driving licence or utility bill for ID.

   • Your V5C (log book) to prove ownership.

3. Choose Legal Fonts & Layouts
   Custom plates must still meet DVLA rules on font, spacing, and reflectivity. Illegal designs can result in fines and MOT failures.

Local Car Washes and Garages Offering Plate Services

If you’re not keen on DIY cleaning, there are reliable local spots that can help:

• Leyland Car Spa – Offers full valeting including number plate cleaning.

• Preston Auto Valet – Located near Deepdale, great for deep cleans and detailing.

• Arnold Clark Preston – Supplies legal replacement plates.

• ATS Euromaster Leyland – Quick checks and basic washes with plate touch-ups.

These services are convenient and great for keeping your vehicle road-ready without the hassle.

Final Thoughts: A Small Task with Big Impact

Cleaning and maintaining your number plate is one of the simplest ways to stay legal, avoid unnecessary fines, and ensure your vehicle looks its best. Especially in places like Leyland and Preston, where weather and road conditions can rapidly cause buildup and wear, regular attention to your plate should be part of your overall car care routine.

So next time you grab your bucket and sponge, don’t forget to give those plates a quick once-over. It might seem like a small task, but it makes a big difference—in both appearance and legality.